The Walter Tips Company Building
Austin, Travis County, Texas
Marker Inscription
German native Walter Tips (1841-1911) migrated to the United States with his family in 1849 and served in the Confederate Army during the Civil War. In 1872 he and his partners, Williams Clemens and Joseph Faust of New Braunfels, purchased the Austin hardware business of Tips' brother Edward who had died earlier that year. Walter later became sole proprietor. Located on the site of Edward's store, this company building was constructed in 1876-77. Designed by the noted Austin architect Jasper N. Preston, it features Victorian Italiante styling with Gothic details, an ornate cornice, carvings by local stonemasons, and side walls of limestone rubble. Interior cast iron columns on the ground fllor provided a large open commercial area. The third floor included a room for Masonic Lodge meetings and a 400-seat auditorium for use by the library association. Tips later served in the Texas Senate, 1893-96, and in other state government positions. An active civic leader, he also helped found the Austin National Bank. The Walter Tips Company remained here until 1927 and the building later housed other businesses. In 1978 Franklin Savings Association bought the structure and restored it for use as their home office. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1980
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
German-born Walter Tips came to America as a child in 1849 and, after Confederate service in the Civil War, took over his late brother's Austin hardware business in 1872. This handsome commercial block, designed by noted architect Jasper N. Preston and built in 1876–77, showcased Victorian Italianate style with Gothic touches, cast-iron interior columns, and an upper floor housing a Masonic lodge room and a 400-seat auditorium. Tips went on to the Texas Senate and helped found the Austin National Bank; his company occupied the building until 1927.
Why it matters
The building traces the arc of a Gilded Age merchant-civic leader—from hardware counter to state senate and bank boardroom—and shows how a single commercial structure could also serve as a town's lodge hall and public auditorium.
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Related people
- · Walter Tips
- · Jasper N. Preston
Themes & tags
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